Archive for the ‘Back Pain’ Category

Have you ever wondered if back and leg pain are somehow connected?  It’s not an unusual concern since many people who have Back Pain notice that their legs are typically also aching and stiff, and those with leg problems find that their back is often in pain as well.As you know, its normal for back pain and leg pain to happenen seperate from one another but they could be connected.  Why is this, and what can you do about it?

The reason that back and leg pain are connected is because the back and legs are connected!Your Legs are directly connected to your back muscles so every time your legs move, your back muscles start working.  If you stretch or pull the leg muscles or cause any damage to them your back muscles are going to work overtime or in a way that they’re not meant to work in order to make up for this.  Very often you can have back and leg pain when you twist an ankle or pull a hamstring as the back is wrenched or pulled as well.  The back muscles are only meant to work so hard or in such a way to make the legs work, and when there’s a leg injury the back is forced to work in an unnatural way to make up for this.

The fact that the back and the legs work in harmony is another reason that back and leg pain are connected.  If you twist your back or pull a muscle in the lower back then your leg muscles may get twisted and pulled when you walk or move your legs at all.  Movement of just about any nature can cause both back and leg pain when you have Back Pain or have hurt your back in any way. 

The nerves of the legs are also connected to the nerves in the back, which can cause back and leg pain as well.  An injury or defect in the back can send pain shooting down the leg via the shared nerves. 

It’s also true that when we walk, the back muscles are supposed to absorb some of that shock of the legs hitting the ground.  Unfortunately we often wear shoes that are inadequate to do this especially when jogging or exercising, and this can cause back and leg pain.  That shock of hitting the pavement goes up the leg and hits the back.  Women especially who wear high heeled shoes can be guilty of this.

There are many reasons that back and leg pain are connected and while some of these reasons cannot be avoided, others can with some simple changes.Even when walking and jogging you need to take careful precautions to protect your back.  This means being careful when lifting heavy objects, making sure you exercise in a proper form, and doing whatever else is necessary.
 

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Believe it or not, there are some things you can do to Stop Back Suffering.  We say believe it or not because many people have been dealing with back pain for years, maybe even decades, and have come to the conclusion that it’s just something they’ll need to get used to since it’s obviously not going away.  While this may unfortunately be true in some cases, usually there is much that a person can do to alleviate back pain if they’re willing to admit the common causes of it and face the changes that need to be made.

Its difficult for people to come to the conclusion that weight effects back pain in many cases.  Obesity is one the rise not just in the United States but worldwide and with these increased cases of obesity comes increased cases of lower back pain.Just a little bit of weight lose can seriously help back pain but if you are obese you would consult a doctor to see how much weight you need to lose to get results.  Excess body weight puts undue pressure on not just the back but the knees, hips, ankles, feet, and every other part of the lower body as well.  Since the back works to hold up and support body weight you can see how losing those extra pounds can help to alleviate back pain in many cases.  Carrying extra body weight is like carrying extra weight in any other form and the back and body is just not meant to work that way.

You can also help to alleviate Back Pain by exercising regularly.  Very often when a person sits at a computer or hunches over car engines or lifts boxes all day long, those back muscles begin to cramp up in order to protect themselves from overuse.  This cramping can result in stiffness and soreness.  Simple aerobic activity will alleviate back pain in these cases because the muscles open up and blood flow is increased, as is oxygen.  These help the back to loosen up and can help to feed and nourish the muscles so that they can heal themselves and that cramped feeling is also alleviated.  Of course excessive activity or anything that jars or overextends the back should be avoided; if golf hurts your lower back, avoid it.  The same is true of things like step aerobics or jogging.  Try a recumbent bicycle or an elliptical machine instead; these can help to alleviate back pain because they have little or no impact.

By paying attention to the changes you need to make yourself you can help to alleviate back pain in many cases.  Of course there are times when medical intervention is necessary, but then again, there is little a doctor can do to alleviate back pain if you remain seriously overweight and very physically inactive.Working out on a regular basis will help with overall health but also with your back pain and back muscles.

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upper back pain

According to past research and studies, nearly 80% of all Americans will experience some type of lower back pain in their lives. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons believes this as well, as they say 80% of us out there will encounter some type of problem with our back before we die.

Traditionally, the treatment for lower back pain is increasing core strength to increase flexibility on muscles that are tight, which will provide better stabilization of the spine and exercises to correct the imbalances of the muscles. The spinal column is supported by the muscles that surround the spine.

Every muscle between the hips and shoulders are included as well, as these muscles are referred to as the core muscles. Back pain can be a result of muscle imbalances caused by any of these core muscles. If the back of your thighs are weaker than the front of your thighs, there will be an uneven pull on the front of your spinal column.

There are some effective ways that you can integrate core strength training exercises into all of the exercises you perform, rather than doing just the traditional crunches and sit-ups. Another way is to take regular breaths. Deep breathing will utilize your diaphragm muscles which will help support the spinal column and lengthen the spine, which is great for your lower back and supporting you when you walk or run.

The tummy tuck and bridge lift can also help you to reduce back problems and strengthen the core muscles as well. The tummy tuck exercise is a simple pelvic tilt that draws the abdominal muscles away from the floor. Do perform a tummy tuck, simply lie face down on the floor and squeeze your glutes to strengthen your spine.

Instead of pressing into your thighs, you should instead reach your tailbone down towards your heels. Perform 15 reps of each exercise and alternate them until you have completed a couple of sets.

For the bridge, place your feet on a bench or on the floor and scoop your pelvis upward, as your rib cage should stay low to reduce any irritation to your spinal muscles. The bridge will help to relieve stress on your back and focus the muscle contractions into the glutes and the hamstrings.

Other exercises for lower back pain are the lumbar side stretch, hip flexor stretch, and calf stretches, as all three can help to alleviate pull on your spinal column.

Hip flexor stretch

When doing a hip flexor stretch, bring one foot forward in a bent knee, 90 degree angle, while your other leg is on the floor behind you with your foot pointed upwards toward the ceiling. The hip flexor stretch will help to open up the muscles of your back on the side of the spine near your hips. You can also squeeze your glutes as well to deepen the stretch with each breath you exhale. You should begin to feel a stretch in your back leg, in the thigh front and the hamstrings on your front leg.

Lumbar side stretch

This stretch will bring your legs wide with your knees bent while you sit or stand. Simply bring one hand down towards your foot on the inside of the thighs and your other hand behind your head.

The last stretch will open up your Achilles tendon, which is the most distant pull on the spine. Therefore, lean forward with an object under your foot. Maintain a fluid breath while you hold stretches for 30 seconds or so. After a while, you should begin to feel a stretch behind your knee and shin.